According to Governor Pritzker, Illinois is set to enter Phase 5 of reopening on June 11. This final phase will see the removal of all remaining restrictions.
The 10 casinos in Illinois have received some good news as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has either forced them to close completely or operate with limitations since March 2020.
Currently, Illinois casinos are running at 60% capacity as the state transitioned into the “Bridge Phase” on May 14, allowing for an increase from 50% to 60% capacity limits.
Not all Illinois games will be fully operational on June 11, but they are expected to open shortly thereafter.
Here are the top ten games in Illinois:
- Alton’s Argosy Casino
- DraftKings operates out of the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
- Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino
- Harrah’s Casino, Joliet
- Metropolis Harrah’s Casino
- Aurora Casino in Hollywood
- Hollywood Casino, Juliet
- Rock Island’s Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
- Part A – The casino located in East Peoria
- Des Plaines’ Rivers Casino
Is a face required to be worn at the casino?
According to CDC guidelines, face masks are no longer required in most Illinois casinos for those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, it is anticipated that these measures will continue to be enforced as capacity limits may increase.
Food and beverage service, which was prohibited for a significant portion of the crisis, is now allowed at the facilities.
Are poker rooms in Illinois empty?
In mid-May, Illinois poker rooms were given the green light to reopen, but only one has decided to do so at this time.
The recently reopened poker room at Hollywood Casino Aurora is the focus of discussion. While Grand Victoria Casino Elgin is also gearing up to reopen its poker room in the near future, an exact date has not yet been announced.
As of now, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel has not provided any updates on the status of its poker room.
No more limitations on card sports?
Currently, the Illinois Gaming Board website prohibits players from congregating around table games such as craps, roulette, blackjack, and carnival games at casinos.
When Phase 5 is reached, the circumstances could potentially shift. However, each game has the ability to create its own rules and remove this restriction.
If you visited a casino during the pandemic and saw that all other slot machines were turned off, that should not have been the situation.
Once more, the players will have the option to decide whether they want to adhere to the rules. However, it is anticipated that they will provide a reliable gaming experience.
What is the COVID – 19 situation in Illinois & rsquo?
Due to better COVID-19 and immunization data, casinos are able to resume full operations.
Illinois, known as The Land of Lincoln, reported 401 new cases and eight deaths on Tuesday, despite low levels of optimism. The hospitalization rate in the state is at a record low.
Meanwhile, the state has administered over 12 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, resulting in approximately 40% of Illinois’ population being fully immunized.
Will there ever be an online casino in Illinois?
Online casinos in Illinois have seen some legislative progress, but the recent May session did not result in the approval of expanded internet gaming.
With that said, there is a possibility that Illinois could introduce online casinos in the future. The Senate has approved a resolution to investigate the potential revenue that could have been generated from online casinos had they been in operation prior to COVID-19.
This indicates that the government is eager to gain more knowledge. Additionally, key figures have already been included in the introduction of online gaming legislation by both the House and Senate.
The reopening of physical game stores is exciting, but having an online presence could offer them a more stable source of income. The gaming industry took a hit from COVID-19, especially for those without an online presence.
As a result, online gambling will not be available in Illinois in the near future. However, it is possible that a successful online casino industry could emerge in the state within the next few years.